For the majority of a woman’s life, her menstrual cycle and hormones cause major confusion. Sometimes she misses her menses or has false negative pregnancy tests. Another major confusion is the 20 days late negative pregnancy test. Nevertheless, can I still be pregnant if the test is negative and no period?
If you have had no periods for 20 or 30 days and still have a negative pregnancy test, you may have no pregnancy. It may occur due to hormonal imbalances or other uterine abnormalities.
However, if you think you are pregnant, then you may have used the faculty pregnancy kit, or your pregnancy hormones are not detectable by the test kits.
Nonetheless, why am I 20 days late and negative pregnancy test? Here you will find a complete and in-depth guide regarding “periods 20 days late negative pregnancy test”.
Table of Content
20 Days Late Negative Pregnancy Test
It is really confusing if your periods are 20 days delayed, and you still have a negative pregnancy test. So, if you’re not pregnant, why is there a delay in your period?
As a matter of fact, you can still be pregnant even if you have a negative pregnancy test, or you can not be pregnant if you have missed periods and pregnancy symptoms.
Indeed, these factors all depend on what is going on with your body.
Can You Tell Me What’s Wrong With Me?
So, you missed your periods this month, but when you try to test for pregnancy, it shows a single strip on the pregnancy kit or gives a false negative pregnancy test. Following are a few conditions that you might have:
Your Test Was Too Early, But You Are Pregnant
Generally, a pregnancy test identifies the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG. If you experience pregnancy signs but have a negative pregnancy test result, then a low level of hCG in the body is the primary reason.
It happens when you take your pregnancy test too early because the hCG level is usually too low to be detected by a pregnancy kit in the early days of conception. An optimum level of hCG to be detected in urine, produced within or after two weeks of conception.
Moreover, the 99% accuracy of the test must be determined at 25 mIU/mL. However, during the first two to three weeks of pregnancy, the body produces only about 10mIU/mL of hCG, which isn’t enough to detect with a pregnancy kit.
That’s why a pregnancy kit gives false-negative results, even though you’re pregnant.
If you miss your period, you should wait 2-3 weeks for a reliable test result. The amount of hCG in your body will increase at this time, and you will be able to detect pregnancy with greater accuracy.
The Test Kit Is Faulty Or Expired – 41 Days No Period Negative Pregnancy Test
Another important reason for false negative pregnancy results is the use of faculty or expired kits. Moreover, if you’re not following the instructions or doing things in a hurry, there are chances of missing the accurate results.
Besides this, if the test device is stored in a damp bathroom cabinet or wet place, it could malfunction as well. That’s why it’s essential to store your pregnancy kits or test results at the right temperature and to use them before they expire or the lines evaporate.
Your Periods Are Irregular, Or Your Ovulation Is Late – 20 Days Late Negative Pregnancy Test no Symptoms
If you missed your periods, but your pregnancy test reports negative, then late ovulation and an irregular menstrual cycle can be a reason. If ovulation is delayed, it may result in a late implantation date, and cramping in the lower abdomen and legs.
Therefore, you might have miscounted the missed days when you finally took the test.
Typically, a luteal phase is 11-13 days, which starts after ovulation and ends when the next period begins. But the follicular phase, which begins on the first day of menstruation, could last longer than the luteal phase. Indirectly, the follicular phase affects the ovulation date, which might give you a false negative pregnancy test.
Consult your doctor if your tests continue to come back negative, but you are still without a period. Cycle changes can be symptoms of other conditions but are not restricted to pregnancy.
Your Pregnancy May Include Twins Or Triplets
Can twins cause false negative pregnancy tests? In the case you’re expecting two or more babies, there are high chances of inaccurate results from the home pregnancy test. Because when you have two or more fetuses in your uterus, your body releases a very high amount of pregnancy hormone.
In particular, twin or triplet pregnant women have a high amount of hCG hormone in their body.
Even though you are pregnant, your home pregnancy test kit fails to detect this high amount of hCG hormone and gives you negative results. Also, this is known as the “high dose hook effect.”
Ectopic Pregnancy Delays hCG Production – Missed Period and Cramping in Lower Abdomen Negative Pregnancy Test
Another rare cause of false-negative pregnancy results is ectopic pregnancy.
Typically, an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus wall. But, in some cases, the egg implants and growth are other than the uterus wall. Mostly it happens in the fallopian tube but can also occur in the ovary, abdominal cavity, or cervix.
Therefore, the body will not produce enough hCG and other pregnancy hormones but can cause severe pain in the lower abdominal cavity, consequently, it results in a negative pregnancy test.
Nevertheless, it may cause a positive pregnancy test, but it is not normal. Indeed, a fetus can’t grow normally in this case. The fallopian tube can rupture if the fertilized egg remains in it for a prolonged period. It is likely to cause heavy bleeding in the abdomen.
Even though it is a rare cause, it can be life-threatening. Therefore, it should be diagnosed and cured early to prevent serious consequences.
Following are a few symptoms of life-threatening ectopic pregnancy:
- Missed period
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen or on one side
- Sore breast
- Nausea
- Extreme lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Shock
- Vaginal bleeding
Can A Baby Survive An Ectopic Pregnancy?
As I mentioned earlier, fertilized eggs implant outside the uterus wall in ectopic pregnancy. Sadly, this pregnancy is fatal for the mother and fetus.
Normally, the uterus is perfectly suited for the growing egg because it can expand and stretch as the baby grows. On the other hand, the fallopian tube and other reproductive organs are not flexible.
Therefore, if the fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus, it can burst the duct. So, it can cause heavy internal bleeding that can lead to damage and injury of internal organs and even death of the mother and fetus.
Indeed, an ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency, and the mother needs immediate treatment to avoid any damage to her abdominal and reproductive organs.
A Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) Has Affected You
Your pregnancy test might come negative if you are pregnant, but your reproductive organs are affected by a tumor in the trophoblast.
The trophoblast is a layer of cells surrounding the newly fertilized egg or embryo after conception. It helps the embryo to implant itself in the uterus. Also, these cells make up a large part of the placenta—the organ that delivers nutrients to a developing fetus.
GTD is a rare pregnancy condition in which womb cells trophoblast divide abnormally, leading to tumors. One of the most common types of GTD is the hydatidiform mole, also called molar pregnancy.
A tumor of this type seldom causes cancer, but the pregnancy usually ends in miscarriage, as the embryo cannot be formed. A GTD pregnancy is rarely successful in producing a healthy child.
Following are the few signs and symptoms of GTD:
- Bleeding lasts longer than six weeks after delivery, miscarriage, or abortion.
- An unusually large uterus when pregnant
- Pain or pressure in the pelvic area
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Pregnancy hypertension with headaches and swelling of feet and hands
- Overactive thyroid
- Anemia
Other conditions related to gynecology and pregnancy may also exhibit the same symptoms as listed above. In any case, the only way for you to determine if GTD causes your symptoms is to see a doctor.
Your Period Is Late For Other Reasons Than Being Pregnant
Typically, your period will be delayed, and your pregnancy test will be negative if you are not pregnant. One or two irregular cycles a year is not unusual, and it does not necessarily indicate something is wrong.
Besides pregnancy, the following are possible chances that your periods are late:
- Ovulatory dysfunction
- Anovulation
- High Stress
- Medication
- Birth control pills
- Primary ovarian insufficiency
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Breastfeeding
- Illness
- Disturbance of sleep cycle
- Excessive exercise
- Traveling
- Malnutrition
- Thyroid problems
- PCOS
- Anorexia
- Perimenopause
Moreover, your menstrual cycle may also alter as a result of dietary changes. For instance, diets that put your body into a ketogenic state on a long-term basis may affect your cycle.
Also, a non-pregnant woman who does not menstruate for three consecutive months is considered amenorrheic. It affects approximately 3–4% of females.
You Failed To Follow Instructions Correctly
Most women don’t follow all the instructions for taking a pregnancy test, another reason for negative pregnancy tests. To administer the proper home pregnancy test, you must read the instructions on the package carefully. Remember, the results are only as good as well if you follow the instructions!
How To Use And Read A Pregnancy Test?
Various pregnancy test kits are available nowadays, ranging from traditional to highly advanced. Despite the differences in operating, the same process is followed, exposing the test stick to the urine.
Either pee directly on the pregnancy test device for 5-10 seconds (or according to the instructions) or soak the pregnancy test in urine for 10 seconds, use whichever method feels most comfortable to you.
You should ensure that the results window faces you when you pee on the stick. Generally, pregnancy tests take only a few minutes, but the directions will tell you how long it will take to process the results.
How to Read a Positive Pregnancy Test?
The pregnancy stick will have a test line, so you can check if it is actually working. Typically, pregnancy sticks come with one or two windows.
A positive result from a single-window test will show both the test line and the line that indicates that you are pregnant.
During the two-window test, you will see a test line on one window and a plus sign (+) on the other window to show that you are pregnant, regardless of how faint it is.
Digital tests may be easier to read for some women because there is no line (faint or bold). Also, a countdown clock will appear to inform users when results are ready.
A positive result on a digital test will either say “You’re Pregnant” or simply “Yes.”
How to Read a Negative Pregnancy Test?
If you are not pregnant, you will only see one test line on a single-window test. The first window displays the test line in a two-window test, whereas the second window displays a single line similar to the minus sign (-). If you see this, you are not pregnant.
In the case of a digital test, a negative result will display “Not Pregnant” or “No,” which means that you are not pregnant.
Missed Period Vs. Pregnancy
Indeed, missed periods are not always because of pregnancy. But you can miss the period for many other reasons.
Undoubtedly, a pregnancy test works better to determine if you are pregnant or just missed your period. But, if you doubt that you are pregnant, but the test gives a false negative pregnancy report, you can make sure with the help of a gynecologist.
You can also check for some obvious symptoms to determine whether your report is faulty and you are pregnant, or if you have missed your period, and you are not pregnant.
Following are a few symptoms and signs of early pregnancy:
- Missed period
- Sore breast
- Food aversions
- Unusual food cravings
- Frequent urination
- Morning sickness
- Fatigue with headache
- Bloating
- Mild uterine cramping
In contrast, below are a few most apparent symptoms of missed periods:
- Pelvic pain
- Acne
- Skin tags
- Brown spotting
- Excess body hair
- Hair loss
Can You Be Pregnant And Never Get A Positive Test?
In some cases, women may get pregnant, but they never have a positive pregnancy test. They don’t even realize that they are pregnant until they get labor pain or a baby bump. It must sound ridiculous and funny. But, it is a natural event and not as rare as you think.
A cryptic pregnancy, also known as a stealth pregnancy, is not detected by conventional medical testing methods.
Some T.V. programs like MTV’s “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant” illustrate extreme situations of this sort. Although it sounds strange, cryptic pregnancy or so-called denied pregnancy is very common, especially if you live in the U.S.
Let Me Tell You Some Real Stories
A 47-year-old woman went to the doctor because she was experiencing severe stomach pains. According to her, she may have had kidney stones. During her examination, she was informed in no uncertain terms that she was pregnant. One hour later, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Astonished!
Also, you must have heard of a young Canadian lady, Ada Guan, who gave birth to a baby girl on the plane. She had tested her pregnancy several weeks before, but it was reported negative. Even though she had some pregnancy symptoms, she ignored them. But, the truth came out when she went into labor pain while on a flight to Tokyo.
In this heartbreaking scene, the whole flight was gripped by emotion. Until the baby was delivered, and the mother was rescued. Cheers and applause were heard throughout the plane after the baby’s birth. Also, the baby girl is adorable.
On the other hand, some women have obvious pregnancy symptoms, and they feel like they are pregnant, but the pregnancy test reports negative.
Our word isn’t the only one that counts. Read the real stories and see for yourself.
What Are The Early Signs Of Cryptic Pregnancy?
Cryptic pregnancy, by definition, is an unaware pregnancy in which you don’t have usual pregnancy symptoms. For instance, missed periods, morning sickness, vomiting, big baby bumps, etc.
It might be happening due to an imbalance of hormones, natural causes, due to birth controls, or even approaching perimenopause.
Following are a few signs that may help you to determine if you are going through cryptic pregnancy:
- The period’s bleeding is less than normal
- Slight morning sickness
- Abdominal swelling
- Slight weight gain
Although there may be no signs, that does not mean there are none. Certainly, you could just overlook them because they are vague enough to be mistaken for something else.
Such as, an individual might mistake morning sickness for an upset stomach or an irregular menstrual cycle for the absence of their period.
Therefore, the need to raise awareness of cryptic pregnancies is vital so that women with even subtle pregnancy symptoms can be evaluated medically.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, a 20 days late negative pregnancy test may appear confusing and astonishing. But a negative pregnancy does not always mean that you are not pregnant. It may also indicate that your instrument shows inaccurate results or that your body is not behaving normally.
Moreover, a missed period is not always a sign of pregnancy. It may also indicate that your periods are late, or your menstrual cycle is not running smoothly.
However, you should talk with your healthcare expert for accurate results and proper medication, whatever the case is!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions related to “20 days late negative pregnancy test.”
Are 20 days late a missed period?
Typically, your periods start within 21 to 35 days of your last periods. Your periods may vary due to several reasons. So, if you don’t get periods 1 or 2 weeks after your expected date, you can be considered your periods late or missed.
Can multiples cause false negative pregnancy tests?
Multiples can cause a false negative pregnancy test. It is due to the hook effect. Indeed, when you are pregnant with twins or triplets, your body has an unusually high amount of hCG that a home pregnancy test cannot detect.
What does it mean if your period is late and white discharges?
In the case of white discharge from the vagina and missed periods, it might indicate that you are pregnant. However, PCOS, hormonal imbalance, or perimenopause may also lead to this condition.
Why do I keep getting negative pregnancy tests but no period?
In most cases, you may have ovulated late, which may result in late periods. Therefore, you may mistake yourself for pregnant, but indeed it is just a late period.
How long does it take for hCG to show up in urine?
The hCG is a pregnancy hormone produced by the placenta. When your embryo implants with the uterus, it starts producing hCG. Normally, if your menstrual cycle is 28 days, you can detect hCG in the urine 15 to 20 days after ovulation.
What happens if you pee too much on a pregnancy test?
Peeing too much or peeing diluted urine on the pregnancy test may skew the expected results. Therefore, it is advisable to take a pregnancy test in the morning when urine is highly concentrated. Also, follow all the instructions.
